When you are hunting for a new job you should always highlight your past achievements. As well as having a good resume template it can be very beneficial to have a portfolio of your work to show a prospective employer.

It’s only natural to feel nervous when attending job interviews. You are about to meet someone you have never met before, you want to make an impression and you want the job.

During your job search it can be beneficial to sign up to an employment agency to help you find employment. There are a variety that you can send your resume template to – from specialist and niche recruiters to more general/admin companies. Either way it is likely that you will need to go through an interview process with them.

There will be times throughout your career that you will find yourself wanting to negotiate a salary increase.

This could be because you have been in the role for some time and believe you deserve a salary increase or it could be because you are approaching an annual appraisal and need to prepare. Either way, there are a number of reasons why you should approach salary negotiations throughout your career.

When compiling your resume there are some key things you should avoid. Avoiding simple mistakes on your resume template will automatically increase your chances of employment.
Remember – most employers will simply scan a resume. They don’t have time to pick out details and spot information that is hidden. Similarly, they don’t have time for mistakes. Here are some common mistakes you should try to avoid when writing a resume:

If you are looking to progress within your organisation and work towards a promotion, you must put a lot of preparation and time into securing it. Many employers will operate a 6 month or yearly appraisal process where you will have the opportunity to assess your job role, comment on your performance and discuss salary.

In most interview situations you are likely to be met with some ‘curveball’ questions. These questions are mainly used by employers to test your ingenuity. They are designed to put you off pace and they are a good way of expressing your personality. Many interviewers also believe that this questioning style will help to filter out the best candidates.   

Networking events are a fantastic way of meeting new contacts, building relationships and spotting work opportunities. If you create a professional resume and cover letter and visit a well attended networking event then your chances of finding employment will certainly increase. But what if there are no local networking events to attend? Or what if you have a select amount of people you want to target? Then hosting your own networking event could be useful and will definitely increase your profile in your chosen sector.

It’s almost impossible to ignore the power of social media. Most people use Facebook to interact, employers use Linked In to network and celebrities are constantly tweeting about their everyday lives. And now social media is a crucial tool for anyone seeking employment. Social media sites can often position you closer to potential employers, allow you to network with people in your industry and it can ensure you are up to date with the latest events and industry news. It is vital you think about social media when updating your resume and creating a cover letter.